Top Gear, eat your heart out

Following on from my previous post from the March 1959 edition of Motor Sport, I thought I'd go back a little further in time and share some of the great advertisments form the April 1957 edition of Motor Sport magazine. These are just three from the magazine which also featured articles called 'The Parliamentary Debate on the British Motor Industry' and 'Top Men in Speed Say This New Tyre is a Winner'.

 

 Motor Sport magazine, April 1957

Advertisement for Courtaulds High-Tenacity Rayon - the World's Leading Tyre Cord

Madame Andrée Jan, here seen hanging by her teeth from a helicopter over Derby airfield on June 17th 1956, was suspended with perfect safety by a cord only 1/4 inch thick ... 

Advertisment for the Morris Minor 1000 ... 0-60 mph in 28 seconds

 

Advertisment for the Triumph T.R.3

T.R.3 versus Aeroplane ... and the Triumph T.R.3 won! So, I'd always thought that having carzy races between planes and cars was a Top Gear invention but it looks like the fun was to be had at least 40 years beforehand, albeit that this challenge was done on fuel consumption with the Triumph running at 43 mpg as opposed to the Auster J4's 22.1 mpg ... I wonder if The Stig was driving.

More vintage magazines and books on my web site

Vintage Motor Sport Magazine, c.1959

A bit of a departure from my previous two posts in this blog, where I move away from the world of Cult TV paperbacks and into the realm of vintage Motor Sport magazines. Those of you eagerly anticipating more Cult TV will have to wait a while ... but not too long ... and hopefully the same sort of mindset that draws you to Cult TV will also endear you to these magazines. Everything from the pictures of the old cars, to the vintage advertisements gives a fascinating insight into a world which, although not especially old, has changed beyond recognition.

 

Front cover of Motor Sport Magazine, March 1959

The Three Graces

Advertisement from the March 1959 edition of Motor Sport magazine for Ford, showing 'The Three Graces' of the Ford Consul, the Ford Zephyr and the Ford Zodiac. Proudly claiming Ford to be Britain's biggest exporter of cars, trucks and tractors.

 Back cover of Motor Sport Magazine, March 1959

Showing an advert for Lucas motoring essentials, inviting you to 'Greet the Spring' with items such as a dipping mirror, am  ignition coil, and an  electric screenjet.

More vintage magazines and books on my web site